Polyol Engine Cleaning via Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines form carbonaceous deposits on fuel injectors due to unburnt hydrocarbons undergoing cracking, polymerization, and oxidation reactions, leading to operational issues like performance loss, increased fuel consumption, and exhaust pollutants, with existing cleaning methods either being superficial or time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Switching a direct injection compression ignition engine to the McNeil Cycle and running it on polyols like glycerine or ethylene glycol for a short period to remove carbon deposits from internal surfaces without disassembly, maintaining low emissions and engine wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning fluids or chemical solvent solutions are used to remove carbon deposits, then carbon deposits are dislodged or removed from engine surfaces, but emissions are dramatically increased as carbon and sludge moves further into the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning agent by using a peroxide-based solution (2-10% hydrogen peroxide) instead of conventional solvents. This chemical parameter change allows the cleaning fluid to break down carbon deposits through oxidation rather than simply dislodging them, thereby reducing harmful emissions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful carbon deposits into beneficial byproducts by using peroxide oxidation. The carbon deposits that would normally be moved downstream and increase emissions are instead broken down into carbon dioxide and water through the peroxide reaction, transforming a harmful substance into harmless products
2Reliability
If mechanics use chemicals to remove carbon deposits, then deposits are cleaned, but the cleaning is only superficial and temporary
Solution Approach 1:
The peroxide-based cleaning solution chemically breaks down carbon deposits through oxidation reactions, converting the deposits into removable byproducts. This chemical breakdown mechanism provides deeper, more permanent cleaning compared to superficial solvent-based methods, as it addresses the root cause of deposit formation rather than just removing surface accumulations
3Ease of repair
If cleaning fluid is run through the rail and fuel injectors by disabling the electric fuel pump, then injectors are cleaned, but the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the cleaning system to operate using the engine's own fuel pump and circulation system. The peroxide-based cleaning solution is introduced into the fuel system and circulated through the injectors during normal engine operation, eliminating the need to disable the fuel pump or perform time-consuming manual cleaning procedures. The engine's own systems perform the cleaning service
4Ease of repair
If aerosol spraying devices are used to clean engine deposits, then deposits are removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the fuel system serve multiple functions: it delivers fuel during normal operation and delivers cleaning solution during maintenance. By utilizing the existing fuel pump, fuel lines, and injector system for both fuel delivery and cleaning, the invention eliminates the need for separate aerosol spraying devices or specialized cleaning equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes carbon deposits without engine disassembly, keeps emissions low, reduces engine wear, and increases engine lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
It is believed that some of the unburnt hydrocarbons in the fuel undergoes complex cracking, polymerization and oxidation reactions, leading to reactive moieties which can interact with the fuel, recirculated gases and lubricating oils; thus forming insolubles
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method to remove carbonaceous deposits from the internal surfaces of ignition compression engines by increasing inlet air temperature to 60-200°C and injection of polyol instead of operational fuel for 1-30 minutes.